City comparison
No. Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 174 in Phoenix, and its violent crime index is 165 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Phoenix is cheaper. Median rent is $1,582 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The cost gap between Phoenix and Anaheim is the real story here. Phoenix comes in 27% cheaper on typical rent ($1,582 vs $2,175), which over a year adds up to $7,116. Median household income runs $81,332 in Phoenix and $95,227 in Anaheim.
This is a genuine split. Phoenix wins on cost of living and Anaheim wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Phoenix at $1,582 average has pockets that run $1,382 and others at $1,982: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Phoenix and Anaheim are 337 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,582 a month in Phoenix to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $593 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $81,332 in Phoenix to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $13,895 (17%).
The crime index goes from 174 in Phoenix to 143 in Anaheim, down 31 points (18%).
The move
Anaheim and Phoenix are 337 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,582 a month in Phoenix, down $593 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $81,332 in Phoenix, down $13,895 (15%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 174 in Phoenix, up 31 points (22%).
Phoenix, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Phoenix and Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Phoenix rent is 27% cheaper than Anaheim
Phoenix
Winner$1,582/mo
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Typical rent runs $1,582 a month in Phoenix versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Phoenix is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $593/month back in your pocket ($7,116/year). Over five years that's $35,580 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Phoenix is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
17% higher
Anaheim's median income is 17% higher than Phoenix
Phoenix
$81,332
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $81,332 in Phoenix, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Anaheim (about $13,895 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Phoenix can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
18% lower crime
Anaheim's crime index is 18% lower than Phoenix
Phoenix
174 (100 = avg)
Anaheim
Winner143 (100 = avg)
Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 174 in Phoenix (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 18% lower in Anaheim. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Anaheim is the easier city. Phoenix can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Phoenix and Anaheim are about even on typical weather.
Phoenix
76°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Anaheim
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Phoenix averages about 76°F (81°F highs); Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Phoenix sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Phoenix
Phoenix is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% cheaper here at about $1,582 a month. Choose Phoenix if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Anaheim is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 17% higher here ($95,227). Start with Anaheim if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Anaheim is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 18% lower than Phoenix (143 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,582/month in Phoenix versus $2,175 in Anaheim. Median income reads $81,332 in Phoenix and $95,227 in Anaheim, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Phoenix rent at $1,582/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $81,332 in Phoenix.
Phoenix clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Anaheim deserves a serious look only when your $95,227 income offer in Anaheim outweighs saving $593/month in Phoenix.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Phoenix and Anaheim, plus other cities in AZ and CA.
